By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer

But without a future Hall of Famer among his options, De Colo has emerged as Popovich’s No. 1 choice for the No. 2 point guard.

It is a position that has taken on increased significance with the team’s starter, All-Star Tony Parker, hobbled by a series of lower leg injuries that could keep him out Saturday against Atlanta.

“I learned at the beginning of the season about the NBA game and the Spurs game,” said De Colo, a 25-year-old rookie from France. “Now I just come in the games and do my job.”

In the past 10 games, he has averaged 10.4 points and 2.2 assists in mostly a reserve role. Popovich senses a growing confidence in the Frenchman that has allowed him to seize the backup role from second-year player Cory Joseph and Patty Mills, a fourth-year pro.

“The last few weeks, he’s made a marked improvement in competitiveness, defending, rebounding and shown a bit more confidence in his game,” Popovich said.

The Spurs’ 100-88 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday provided De Colo with another valuable learning experience.

He logged nearly 23 minutes in a playoff-type atmosphere, recording eight points, four rebounds and one turnover, and finishing the game when Parker was too hurt to play in the fourth quarter.

“I know the coaches want to find a solution for the playoffs,” De Colo said. “I just try to stay ready and that’s it.”

Fisher always a thorn: It wasn’t as nightmarish as 0.4 seconds in the 2004 Western Conference semifinals. But Derek Fisher‘s out-of-nowhere 17-point night Thursday in OKC still had Spurs players shaking their heads.

Having totaled 21 points in his previous eight games, the 38-year-old Thunder guard exploded for a season-high five 3-pointers to sink the Spurs’ game plan.

“That hurt us, big-time,” Tim Duncan said. “You can game plan for everything, but you get somebody to get off like that, it’s something you don’t count on. He just got away from us.”